Intelligent Objects
© Fraunhofer IWU, Alexander Schuster
The Internet of Things (IoT) describes a vision in which everyday objects are connected to the internet, identified and communicate with other devices. These objects are typically referred to as "smart objects." The aim is to digitizie applications and processes in order to make them simpler and more efficient.
Fraunhofer IIS has comprehensive technical and practical know-how to support you in the wireless system and sensor integration and thus connect your smart objects in the best possible way. We have access to state-of-the-art measurement techniques and methods and a complete test center for the simulation of real application scenarios such as wireless sensor applications.
We offer you a complete package in which we are happy to answer all your questions and work with you to find a solution specifically for your application:
How can my objects become intelligent? – We help you to connect your objects by finding the optimum wireless or communication technology, sensor technology and energy supply for you and implementing these with you.
In which areas can I use smart objects? – Smart objects have a wide range of applications, including logistics, smart homes, Industry 4.0, sport, health and smart cities. We are also happy to develop and implement new applications with you.
What are typical smart objects? – Any object can become a smart object, whether it's a drill, sports equipment, lighting, irrigation system, medical device, clothing, parcel, household appliance, fitness tracker or a door lock.
How can my smart objects be operated without a battery? – Smart objects can be operated energy self-sufficiently by using energy harvesting (energy generation from the environment such as sunlight, vibrations, heat or radio signals). We help you to operate your IoT sensors and devices with energy harvesting.
What role does embedded artificial intelligence (AI) play in smart objects? – Embedded artificial intelligence (AI) enables smart objects to make intelligent decisions directly on site, without the need for a constant connection to external servers. We help you to make your smart objects even more powerful and intelligent with embedded AI.
Which wireless technologies are best suited for the communication of smart objects in industrial applications? – Each wireless technology has different characteristics in terms of range, energy efficiency, reliability, data rate and scalability. We will be happy to advise you on which technologies are best suited to your specific application scenarios, e.g. in large industrial plants. These could be 5G/6G, Low Power Wide Area Networks (e.g. mioty), Bluetooth, WLAN, RFID, IO-Link Wireless or Wireless M-Bus, for example.
Smart objects (also known as intelligent objects) are objects that are equipped with positioning and communication technologies and are integrated into an IoT communication network.
These intelligent objects can collect, store and process data and interact with other objects, systems or people. They can independently collect data via positioning and sensors, as well as execute decision-making and control functions via actuators. They can also do the same when embedded in other objects.
Smart objects communicate via the internet or local networks. Data is transmitted via technologies such as RFID, LPWAN (e.g. mioty or LoRa) Bluetooth, 5G or NFC (Near Field Communication).
The functionalities of smart objects create significant added value for both companies and people:
Ambient IoT refers to a new class of wireless communication that is largely self-powered by using energy from the environment. It is an ecosystem for connecting and automating a large number of objects and devices, in which each object is connected to a wireless sensor network (WSN) with the help of low-cost, self-powered sensor nodes.
"Ambient IoT" and "Zero Energy Communications" are central topics of the current 3GPP and IEEE standardization on IoT devices powered by energy harvesting and using energy optimized wireless protocols. With our wireless systems, smart objects can be operated autonomously for several years through energy harvesting.
Our focus is on current opportunities, examples, and theoretical and practical limitations of realizing energy-autonomous wireless sensors that are sustainably powered from energy harvesting sources. We consider different application scenarios as well as different radio systems such as LPWAN, WLAN, Bluetooth and RFID in conjunction with current standardization activities in 3GPP and IEEE.
From centralized control to decentralized intelligence: the production chain becomes the production network.
Wireless intelligent objects are used to decentralize and dynamize a classic production process. To this end, workpieces are made intelligent by equipping them with smart tags at the start of production, on which all relevant product data and context information is stored. This means that the workpiece knows about itself, for example what it should become and how it can be manufactured.
In Industry 4.0, smart objects function as operational technology (OT) and turn a production facility into a smart factory. Smart objects monitor and control production facilities and are used in various industries such as the automotive industry, construction, medicine and the energy sector.
Edge computing in production can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of manufacturers. When sensor data is processed at the edge, energy consumption during the process is reduced. At the same time, edge computing with sensors enables real-time monitoring.
Industrial IoT is an ecosystem which enables to analyze, monitor and control industrial operations through wireless sensors, devices, applications and networking equipment. Automated measurement of the condition of industrial systems and devices is made possible by IIoT sensors.
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS